I have two daughters - a 4 year old and a 1 year old. They play together all day long. They have so much fun. I know this because they mostly laugh all day long. Now when I ask my 4 year old if she likes playing with her sister, depending on when I ask, I get all sorts of different and funny answers from "no I don't like her" to "yes she's my little sis." I think most adults are like this too. We don't know what we are saying most of the time. I never really know what I'm saying, for example. Observing someone or some situation closely is usually much more telling than asking questions - such as "Are you happy?" No I take that back. Asking such questions is good. It's just that answering the question needs patience and careful attention. "Am I happy?" is a wonderful question to ask yourself - but answer it by observing yourself closely in this moment and also over a period of days or weeks. I think I am very happy - but I'm going to double check that starting right now. Tallis
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Addicted to Silence
Most people are addicted to thinking – letting a voice incessantly rambling on and on inside their minds.
But some people are addicted to silence – they “incessantly” don’t think about anything whatsoever. (The space between thoughts has expanded to such a degree that their minds are usually absolutely silent.)
In some ways being addicted to silence is even worse than being addicted to thinking.
Why worse?
Well, worse if silence is confused with emptiness (śūnyatā: all phenomena are dependent and conditioned on other phenomena and therefore are without essence).
Worse if silence is equated with nothing, is mistaken for Enlightenment – because if that’s the case you may start giving people some pretty terrible advice.
And worse still because, let’s face it, silence of the mind gets a bit boring after awhile.
If you’ve reached a state of silence of the mind and feel slightly let down, wondering, “Is that all? Is this it?” – don’t worry, that is not all, this is not it.
There is still more to come . . .
So you have silence of the mind – now what?
Sit with it. Notice that silence is something. I like to notice that silence is a type of sound – that it is a type of auditory experience. Notice that you are not this experience.
Just wait . . . while sitting in silence with the realization that you are not silence – something rather remarkable is bound to happen . . .
Tallis (Written June 2009)
But some people are addicted to silence – they “incessantly” don’t think about anything whatsoever. (The space between thoughts has expanded to such a degree that their minds are usually absolutely silent.)
In some ways being addicted to silence is even worse than being addicted to thinking.
Why worse?
Well, worse if silence is confused with emptiness (śūnyatā: all phenomena are dependent and conditioned on other phenomena and therefore are without essence).
Worse if silence is equated with nothing, is mistaken for Enlightenment – because if that’s the case you may start giving people some pretty terrible advice.
And worse still because, let’s face it, silence of the mind gets a bit boring after awhile.
If you’ve reached a state of silence of the mind and feel slightly let down, wondering, “Is that all? Is this it?” – don’t worry, that is not all, this is not it.
There is still more to come . . .
So you have silence of the mind – now what?
Sit with it. Notice that silence is something. I like to notice that silence is a type of sound – that it is a type of auditory experience. Notice that you are not this experience.
Just wait . . . while sitting in silence with the realization that you are not silence – something rather remarkable is bound to happen . . .
Tallis (Written June 2009)
The Relationship between Ordinary and Extraordinary Experiences
Do you know people like Kent and Jim?
Kent and Jim are both long time meditators.
Kent has had many extraordinary spiritual experiences.
Jim has had none.
However, both are awake to more or less the same degree.
How is this possible?
Here is an analogy:
Jim and Kent are in a very dark and deep cave. They are seeking the light of day. (Enlightenment)
i) Jim follows a tunnel to the right. The tunnel slopes up to the surface very gradually. The intensity of daylight in the tunnel also increases very gradually. Slowly, slowly Jim makes his way to the surface. He doesn’t think about the light - he simply sees more and more clearly as he moves toward the surface. It is all very ordinary and natural. Eventually, Jim reaches the light of day. He sees with a rare clarity. He is enlightened.
ii) Kent follows a steep vertical tunnel to the left. The tunnel is a series of ascending rock platforms. As he climbs to each new platform the intensity of daylight in the tunnel increases in a brilliant burst. Each burst of light overwhelms Kent’s eyes, until he adjusts to the new light level. They are extraordinary experiences. Eventually, Kent makes it to the surface. Once his eyes adjust for the last time he thinks not about the intense light, he simply sees clearly. He is enlightened. So what has happened to the brilliant light? It is still there – in the very appearance of things.
In the end, for both Kent and Jim, things are very ordinary. It is just this.
Each one of us moves into the Light in his or her own way.
It is your way.
Once they see clearly, Kent and Jim accept each other’s way.
This is beautiful.
Tallis (Written May 2009)
Kent and Jim are both long time meditators.
Kent has had many extraordinary spiritual experiences.
Jim has had none.
However, both are awake to more or less the same degree.
How is this possible?
Here is an analogy:
Jim and Kent are in a very dark and deep cave. They are seeking the light of day. (Enlightenment)
i) Jim follows a tunnel to the right. The tunnel slopes up to the surface very gradually. The intensity of daylight in the tunnel also increases very gradually. Slowly, slowly Jim makes his way to the surface. He doesn’t think about the light - he simply sees more and more clearly as he moves toward the surface. It is all very ordinary and natural. Eventually, Jim reaches the light of day. He sees with a rare clarity. He is enlightened.
ii) Kent follows a steep vertical tunnel to the left. The tunnel is a series of ascending rock platforms. As he climbs to each new platform the intensity of daylight in the tunnel increases in a brilliant burst. Each burst of light overwhelms Kent’s eyes, until he adjusts to the new light level. They are extraordinary experiences. Eventually, Kent makes it to the surface. Once his eyes adjust for the last time he thinks not about the intense light, he simply sees clearly. He is enlightened. So what has happened to the brilliant light? It is still there – in the very appearance of things.
In the end, for both Kent and Jim, things are very ordinary. It is just this.
Each one of us moves into the Light in his or her own way.
It is your way.
Once they see clearly, Kent and Jim accept each other’s way.
This is beautiful.
Tallis (Written May 2009)
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